Capital tops in domestic violence

Social Welfare Board to ensure effective implementation of Act

The State capital has reported the highest number of incidents of domestic violence in the State in 2013-14, topping the charts with 845 cases, even as the overall reportage dipped slightly, with 3,406 cases in 2013-14 in the State as against 3,833 in the previous year.

This, according to a release from the State Social Welfare Board, had prompted a campaign to ensure more effective implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) in the capital district.

Protection officers, the police, service providing centres, and magistrates would be part of the campaign, which would aim at protecting women and children from harassment in various forms, sexual harassment at home, and also from dowry-related harassment.

Victims could report any such incident, by word or in writing, to protection officers or service providing centres, 13 of which were set up in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The protection officers or SPCs were to seek the assistance of the police to visit the spot without delay and to submit a report to the magistrate.

Each of the centres, which had a legal counsellor each, would also provide legal assistance, counselling, awareness classes, help from a clinical psychologist, and referrals to shelter homes.

The service providing centres in Thiruvananthapuram were the Kerala Working Women’s Association near Cantonment House; Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society, Kunjalummoodu, Karamana; Abhaya, Atthani, Vanchiyoor; Loyola College of Social Sciences, Sreekaryam; Desasevini Vanitha Samajam, Thenguvila, Kottukal; Karunya Charitable Society, Karunya Bhavan, Vettinad, Vattappara; Association for Social Health in India, Kesavapuram Road, Poojappura; Government Mahila Mandiram, Poojappura; Institution for Rural Development, Powathil Building, Amboori; Cheruresmi Centre, Velankanni Junction, Valiathura; Sthree Shakti Mahila Samajam, Edasseri, Nedumangad; and the Joseph Memorial Mahila Samajam, Elavanikara, Veliyamkod, Neyyattinkara.

Shocking record

As for the reportage of domestic violence, Thiruvananthapuram’s record was quite shocking, with 845 cases and 200 detailed Domestic Incident Reports (DIR). Ernakulam was second, with 387 cases.

Further details on the PWDVA and available assistance for women can be had over Ph: 0471-2722258 and on the website www.swb.kerala.gov.in, according to Khamarunnisa Anwar, Chairperson, State Social Welfare Board.